ROCK NETROOTS PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

What is Rock Netroots?

While there are a zillion social and political blogs across the web, Rock Netroots aspires to be an alternative information exchange and interactive source for commentary and opinion in addition to (not opposed) traditional sources of news for the content starved people of Rock County and collar county area's.

What makes Rock netroots any different than the others? Originally the idea was to use the power of the web to level the playing field with the mainstream media and to examine and re-edit the right-wing spin that is regularly presented instead of the fair and balanced news information people deserve. But due to economic and time constraints, my primary focus will be on the local newspapers in Rock County, and their relationship to American politics.

Founded on July 5, 2006, Rock Netroots Commentary is based in Janesville, the seat of Rock County, Wisconsin. It is not for profit and not affiliated with the local media, a political party, group or have a self-serving agenda. However, with that said, it is a democratic netroots commentary focused primarily on the corporate right-wing media and its ability to influence public opinion. Unlike some blogs, Rock Netroots does not claim to be politically neutral, but it is broadly egalitarian in principle.

The two newspapers in town, the Janesville Gazette and the Messenger write editorials that are largely intense right-wing manifesto's projecting themselves as an island of Republicans in what amounts to a sea of Democratic subscribers. For this reason, it is essential to counterbalance their agenda with one that is more closely aligned with the majority in the area.

Many refer to the mainstream media as the “corporate” media, but it is worse than that. The author of Rock Netroots believes that a majority of the mainstream media are beholden to special interests while others are manipulated by government and partisan influence. No longer a public trust, as a government influenced corporate run media, it is no longer free. The difference between Internet/Blog and mainstream news content is dramatic enough to realize that only one of them is still free, but maybe not for long.

Because of the obvious corporate right-wing nature embedded in what otherwise should be a neutral and balanced "fourth estate" presentation of current events, news and public information, the corrective measures prescribed here will appear to be left-wing. However blunt the message, it will unmistakably have a transparent bias in what should amount to a fair presentation of reality.

Rock Netroots founder Lou Kaye does not pretend to be a journalist, is not a political consultant or an economic advisor. But just an ordinary and deeply concerned (outraged)citizen who happens to be an economic conservative (as opposed to neoliberal economics), a progressive social liberal and yes oddly, a Christian. Although I will fiercely defend democratic ideals and promote the democratic platform, I will not blindly support wayward democrats, fake progressives or corrupt politicians. My role at Rock netroots is not to mediate or edit, but to interact, learn and evolve with others who strive for the same ideals for positive change. I encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge articles, blog posts and multimedia features.

Site content excluding copyrighted material may be used for any purpose without explicit permission unless otherwise specified. Repeated and nuisance rants meant to disrupt will be deleted.

Kaye is also the owner and creator of the popular Wisconsin Solidarity state map fist image.

In conclusion, Rock Netroots is a media watch blog, a government watch blog for reform and a democratic blog all wrapped in one. It welcomes all visitors to engage in grassroots commentary focusing primarily on the mainstream media’s efforts to influence public opinion. As the ideological differences between the parties become more evident and grow wider with every passing day, the battle for the country may very well be fought right here, in the netroots. It is a place for all people, the newspaper subscribers, radio listeners and the voters to counterbalance the spin, write the wrongs and perhaps, act as a springboard to build a better tomorrow.

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Dec. 5, 2011 ...they have for over the past decade fueled up for twice-a-week bombing raids of random rants, slurs and anonymous hit jobs on public officials, Democrats, school teachers and labor unions ...more>>>